right now i am running 33's on a stock dana 35 and from the horror stories i have been reading about this axle i kinda want to start planning to put a new rear end in. whats everyones opinion on the g2 dana 44 rear axle assembly. i kno its more expensive than what i could get at ECGS with the 8.8 axle. im just lookin around at multiple options. i wanna run 4.56 or 4.88 gears and eventually run 35's. thanks everyone!

I'm actually looking at getting G2 D44 front and rear axles with 4.10s' and ARB lockers for both (will be running 33's soon). I figured this is the easiest way to go. Not that I can't rebuild my own (Currently have D44 rear with limited slip and D35 front open), but it would be easier to just swap the entire product. Since it's all set up with the gearing I want, lockers, and chromoly shafts. I can also keep the old assemblies in case something breaks until I have time to fix it.

I use my Eagle and the Grand Wagoneer to compare what should work because just about everything else is the same. I'm running stock 28's on a Model 35 and Dana 30. I have an insane 2.73 gear ratio and rather than just go to lower gears I'd rather swap in some Dana 44 axles with 3.08 gears. For either of us it would be an expensive and time consuming swap. I probably face worse challenges with this than you will but you're the one that needs this. I don't run 33's but paranoia eats me alive. What kind of donors do you use? Comanche and Wagoneer?

Donors? I wasn't gonna use any. The G2 axles are complete kits. The front D44 (to replace my D35) has ball joints to fit the existing knuckles. The rear assembly (also a D44) will replace my existing D44. It has a disc brake conversion kit included. Both assemblies are geared to choice (4.10's I was thinking), and ARB air lockers, and chromoly shafts.

Another main reason I was thinking this route is my TJ is my DD, so instead of taking the time to rebuild mine I was just gonna swap them out and keep the old ones for spares.

Oh are these complete assemblies? That sounds nice. I should probably look into this. I'll need to get new axles somewhere before the end of the year and your way is probably much better than what I have in mind.

What is so superior about the 8.8 compared to the G2, what makes it more complete?

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Glad you asked!

The ECGS axle had much beefier upper & lower control arm mounts, and beefier track bar & shock mounts too. The axle tubes were welded to the differential housing on the 8.8, but not on the G2 Dana 44 axle. The brake lines on the 8.8 were well made lines, while the D44 lines looked hastily prepared.

As for value, the 8.8 came with an air-operated OX locker (selectable) and the D44 had a Detroit auto locker. The 8.8 came with a custom made 2-piece CV driveshaft, 8.8 companion flange adapter, and an Advanced Adapters SYE kit. The G2 D44 had no additional parts & an incomplete hardware kit. The two kits cost almost the same.

Considering that the 8.8 is significantly stronger/heavier/beefier than the D44, in my opinion there's no question about which one to choose.

The ECGS axle had much beefier upper & lower control arm mounts, and beefier track bar & shock mounts too. The axle tubes were welded to the differential housing on the 8.8, but not on the G2 Dana 44 axle. The brake lines on the 8.8 were well made lines, while the D44 lines looked hastily prepared.

As for value, the 8.8 came with an air-operated OX locker (selectable) and the D44 had a Detroit auto locker. The 8.8 came with a custom made 2-piece CV driveshaft, 8.8 companion flange adapter, and an Advanced Adapters SYE kit. The G2 D44 had no additional parts & an incomplete hardware kit. The two kits cost almost the same.

Considering that the 8.8 is significantly stronger/heavier/beefier than the D44, in my opinion there's no question about which one to choose.

Max

The reason I was going down the D44 route from G2 is it is a simple bolt in replacement that will give me front and rear ARB air lockers, regear, and rear disc brakes. The 8.8 route may be better, but my TJ won't see hard enough trails to justify the extra effort. But I appreciate the input!

The reason I was going down the D44 route from G2 is it is a simple bolt in replacement that will give me front and rear ARB air lockers, regear, and rear disc brakes. The 8.8 route may be better, but my TJ won't see hard enough trails to justify the extra effort. But I appreciate the input!

The 8.8 is available with any locker you choose, as well as your choice of gear ratio. The 8.8 also has disc brakes (the G2 Dana 44 uses Ford 8.8 brakes) and it is completely a bolt-in swap.